Trial of Frenchman-led suspected terrorist group adjourned to Thursday
Morocco, Local, 9/17/2003

The court of appeal of Rabat decided on Monday night to adjourn to next Thursday the trial of the group led by Pierre Robert, Alias "Lhaj" alias "Abou Abderrahmane," who are sued in connection with the terrorist attacks that rocked Casablanca last May 16.

The defense, requested the acquittal of the group arguing that the defendants do not belong to the underground extremist "Salafia Jihadia" association and that they did not create any criminal association to commit terrorist acts and robberies. The attorneys also denied charges of weapons and explosive devices possession and manufacturing and of collecting funds for terrorism operations.

Pierre Robert's French attorney argued that terrorism in Morocco is the deed of foreign hands who train Moroccans, insisting that no evidence was found to confirm that his client advocated terrorism and his activities were only discovered after May's terrorist attacks while he had been living in Morocco for sometime where he used to go to mosques and libraries.

The general prosecutor had requested the capital punishment against the Frenchman and four of his codefendants. Robert's group, comprising 34 defendants.

Previous Stories:
  Princess Lalla Fatima Zohra buried in Rabat   (9/16/2003)
  Prosecutor requests maximum sentence penalty for alleged member of underground group   (9/16/2003)
  Twenty members of underground group get 3 to 10 years jail sentences   (9/15/2003)

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